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The ICARA study is using SPECT scans to investigate the efficacy of an intravenous medication called Bapineuzumab in slowing down the progression of late-stage Alzheimer's disease. The treatment also has antibody proteins that help to clear amyloid within the plaque in the brain.

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Researchers discovered that retinas in mice modified to have Alzheimer's disease go through changes, such as the buildup of amyloid plaque lesions, similar to those underwent by the brain. Retinal changes in the bioengineered mice might also help predict treatment response, the researchers said. "I hope in the future we'll be able to diagnose the disease and track its progress by looking into the eyes," the lead researcher said.

Reinaldo Garcia, CEO of GE Healthcare International, said he remains confident about the long-term prospects of the global health care business despite the economic downturn. He says that shifting from symptoms-focused medicine to preventive care via molecular-imaging techniques and patient-based therapies could help make medicine more cost-effective and help people from emerging economies gain access to much-needed resources.

Cytori Therapeutics has enrolled the first patient for its study on the use of adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells in treating radiation-induced tissue injuries caused by cancer therapy and exposure to nuclear materials. Cytori will use its Celution 800 System to process and extract a patient's own stem cells. The company said the technology has the potential to become standard therapy for radiation-related diseases.

Pfizer will work with Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital to encourage 30 of the institutes' physicians to include reports of adverse reactions to medicines in computerized patient charts. The program is part of a larger move to use electronic medical records to bolster the FDA's drug-safety initiatives.

XStor Medical Systems has launched an image-management and storage system that enables the secure exchange of patient information, images and videos between doctors and patients in hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities. The XStor Imaging Platform system is compatible with multiple modalities and existing infrastructure, the company said.